Day Itinerary – On a Budget

Morning: Start your day of inexpensive but fascinating sightseeing at the National Slate Museum where you’ll get a glimpse into the history of slate - the most Welsh of Welsh industries. The tour starts with an evocative and moving introductory film which depicts the harsh conditions experienced by the slate quarry workers but also outlines the real sense of community created by the formation of the industry in the surrounding villages and towns. There are live slate-splitting demonstrations, carpenter’s tour and unmissable blacksmith demonstration where you can witness Welsh dragons being created! See the quarrymen’s houses depicting different eras of the history of the quarry. There’s a children’s play area, gift shop full of handcrafted gifts and café.

Contact: The National Slate Museum, Padarn Country Park, Llanberis, LL55 4TY
Tel: 01286 870630
Amgueddfeydd Gwynedd Museums / e: slate@museumwales.ac.uk

Lunch:

Location:Llanberis (Travel Time from Bangor 15 mins)

Black Boy Inn - Popular with both locals and tourists. It has a great locally sourced menu, and won awards for its real ales. Here you can enjoy a reasonably priced snack or lunch with a refreshing beverage or pint of beer. The Black Boy Inn has been offering hotel accommodation and dining of distinction for more than five centuries. Situated within the medieval town walls, the hotel has charm aplenty with its roaring open fires, oak beams and all the Welsh character that its age and location suggests. Head chef Martyn Rae and his team pride themselves on their unfussy but skilful preparation of quality ingredients, with a passion for fresh seafood and a commitment towards using the best locally sourced organic Welsh produce.

Contact: Black Boy Inn, Northgate Street, Caernarfon, LL55 1RW

Tel: 01286 673 604

Black Boy / e: info@black-boy-inn.com

Caernarfon is the Royal town of Gwynedd, famous for its breathtaking castle, Edward 1’s fortress against the Welsh. It is also a stronghold of Welsh culture and one of the best places in the world to hear a living Celtic language, with over 80% of the local population speaking Welsh. After a busy morning there’s the chance to spend an hour exploring the town’s many shops and boutiques or wandering through the new Victoria Dock development. With bars and bistros, cafés and restaurants, an arts centre, a maritime museum and a range of shops and stores, it’s just five minutes walk from the town centre.

Afternoon:

Catch the number 10 bus from here and in just 20 minutes you’ll find yourself in the University town of Bangor.

Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery will make a great end to a great day out for budget travellers as entry is free of charge. Located close to the main bus stops in the centre of Bangor, it unfolds the rich heritage of the area through fascinating exhibits and artefacts. See the way life was lived in times gone by, through archaeology, art and domestic items which tell the area’s social history. There are textile exhibitions as well as the early furniture collection which includes a splendid oak drawer chest dating back to 1666, and a fine Welsh dresser. Also depicted is the history of the Welsh dragon and the Celtic language.

The gallery shows a programme of artists of local and international importance. Art exhibitions include paintings, photography and sculpture. There is, of course, a Museum Shop with quality craft products where you can purchase a souvenir of your stay.

Contact: Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery, Ffordd Gwynedd, Bangor, LL57 1DT Tel: 01248 353368

Amgueddfa Cymru / Wales Museum / e: gwyneddmuseum@gwynedd.gov.uk